Heat turns deadly with first reported heat stroke death in St. Louis area

Glen Carbon, IL (KMOV.com) - Authorities in Madison County, Illinois are now confirming that the death of a Glen Carbon woman is the result of the sweltering heat.

Catherine Smith, 61, was found just before midnight on Tuesday in her mobile home at the East 30 Mobile Home Park in Glen Carbon, Illinois.

Authorities say the temperature inside the home was more than 93 degrees, even at that late hour. The home apparently had an air conditioner, but it was not working. Officials say the victim was using fans to try and stay cool.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, her body temperature registered 106 degrees. The coroner says that Smith suffered from health issues that made her more susceptible to the heat.

An autopsy determined that her death was hyperthermia, or heat stroke.